Signs of the Times

These "5-Point Children" from Ocean View School hold up an assortment of signs to announce their good health in 1933. A 5-Point child was proud of good vision, good hearing, correct weight, good teeth, and good tonsils.

In the days before decals, automobile license tags were replaced every year. The colors were black with white lettering in even-numbered years and white with black lettering in odd-numbered years. This is a sample of the new 1934 plates, shown by Georgiana Taliaferro.

Norfolk housewives campaign for lower grocery prices in 1948. (Porter Hardy in background)

Signs, such as this one on Military Highway, appeared in Virginia in 1954 on primary highways and city streets leading out of town. They were placed there by the state Civilian Defense Agency to let motorists know the status of thoroughfares in case of atomic attack.

You can't please everyone. Norfolk voters campaign against daylight savings time in a 1952 referendum.

The National Guard advertises for new recruits in 1948. They'll have to wait a few years for this young man.

A trusting produce merchant devised this low-overhead method to market his wares in 1948.

Dewey supporters at campaign headquarters in 1948.

Promotions for water bond issue at City Hall, Norfolk, Virginia, c1950.

Smith & Welton department store displays instructions to be followed in the event of an air raid, 1942.

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